08/22/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Mychal’s Message Marks 25th Annual “Blessed Bloomers” Distribution with Tribute to Ground Zero Heroes
New socks and underwear will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness in New York City on Sunday, September 6, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks
LANCASTER, Pa. — Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Mychal’s Message will return to the streets of New York City to honor the legacy of beloved FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, OFM, and the countless heroes who served at Ground Zero in the hours, days, weeks, and months that followed.
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Mychal’s Message will hold its 25th annual Blessed Bloomers distribution, providing new socks and underwear to people experiencing homelessness and poverty on the bread line at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.
This year’s collection and distribution is dedicated to all those who served at Ground Zero—firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, construction workers, volunteers, clergy, and countless others who responded with extraordinary courage and compassion. Many later developed cancers and other illnesses associated with their service, and some have since died.
As the nation observes the 25th anniversary of September 11, Mychal’s Message hopes to commemorate their sacrifice not only by remembering what they did, but by continuing the spirit of service they demonstrated.
The location carries special significance. St. Francis of Assisi Church was the Franciscan home where Father Mychal Judge lived and served. Father Mychal, an FDNY chaplain, was killed while ministering to others at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and is remembered as the first officially recorded victim of the attacks.
For 25 years, the Blessed Bloomers project has collected and distributed something shelters and outreach organizations consistently need: new socks and underwear. These simple necessities offer warmth, comfort and dignity to people who too often go without them.
The project reflects the mission that inspired the founding of Mychal’s Message following Father Mychal’s death: to continue his compassion for people who are poor, homeless, hungry or forgotten.
This year, every pair of socks and every piece of new underwear distributed will carry a message beyond the gift itself—a message that 25 years later, we still remember. We remember Father Mychal. We remember those who ran toward danger when others were running away. We remember those who spent days and weeks searching, digging, serving and comforting at Ground Zero. We remember those who became sick because of their service and those who ultimately gave their lives because they answered the call to help. And in their honor, we will serve.
How to Help:
Mychal’s Message is currently accepting donations to purchase new socks and underwear for the September 6 distribution.
Tax-deductible donations may be made through the Mychal’s Message website (www.mychalsmessage.org) or mailed to:
Mychal’s Message
P.O. Box 6404
Lancaster, PA 17607
Through a simple gift of socks and underwear, Mychal’s Message hopes to offer dignity to someone in need while paying tribute to a generation of heroes whose courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten.
Twenty-five years later, we remember. Twenty-five years later, we serve.
